I am now in week 2 of my marathon training. I feel really good, and most importantly, NO sore knees, feet, or hips! I have been incorporating strength training into my workouts for about 3 months, and I really am starting to feel a difference. This weeks training went something like this:
Sunday: 6 miles easy
Monday: 3 miles easy, 6 min core, walking lunges with 10lb weights (around 130), squats (50-60), 70 push-ups
Tuesday: 1 mile warm up, 4x 800m a little faster than 5K pace (around 7:05 pace) 1 mile cool down, 6 minutes of planks (broken up)
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: 1 mile warm up and 6 miles at 8:23 pace (a little faster than MP) 6 min core, walking lunges with 10lb weights, squats with weights, 70 push-ups
Friday: 11miles easy at 9:38 pace
Saturday: 3 miles easy with last might at MP, 6 min core, 6 minutes of planks (broken up)
Total Miles: 35
I feel really good! I am so glad that I am ACTUALLY following a real training plan. Thank you, Hal Higdon! I usually just take it week by week with a tempo run and speed run. But this has been causing me left hip and knee pain. I also think the strength training is making a HUGE difference. I feel much lighter in my running form. I am noticing my quads, glutes and core when I run instead of just my hamstrings and calves. I can't believe I am saying this, but I really enjoy my little strength training sessions (well, I enjoy how I feel after them)!
My marathon goals:
A. Finish!
B. Finish under 4 hours
C. Finish as a BQ
The C goal is highly unlikely unless everything comes together perfectly and I feel amazing. I am not even going to attempt training at that pace. My training pace is 8:30 placing me at at 3:45 marathon time I think. I plan to run 9 minute miles for the first 5 or so miles and then pick up the pace to race pace, and pray I can maintain and perhaps even have a bit of a kick at the end.
Whatever happens, I am thankful to be on my own little journey for my big race!
